Cyrano de Bergerac's staunch devotion to his personal code of honor that is displayed early in the play, foreshadows his demise at the hands of his enemies. In Act I his fierce independence is evinced in his disdain for the actor Montfleury whom he caustically insults. When Montfleury appeals to his supporters. a Marquis says, "That's enough!" Cyrano angrily threatens the aristocrats in the audience,

And you marquises! I advise all of you to hold your tongues, or else each one of you will get a taste of my cane!

To this insult, the marquises retort,

That's enough. Monfleury---

But, even though the aristocrats encourage the actor to finish, de Bergerac is unrelenting in his criticism of Montfleury. After closing the play, Cyrano gives the theatre manager gold to compensate for his losses; however, there are taunts hurled at de Bergerac until he duels Valvert, who has been encouraged by de Guiche.

Cyrano's haughtiness against the aristocrats certainly creates enemies. In addition, his rejection of deGuiche's patronage--

I might, [take a patron]if the thought of anyone's changing a single commadidn't make my blood curdle--

insults this particular aristocrat and hints at further problems similar to the duel that de Guiche has encouraged Valvert to engage in with Cyrano in the first act.